Wearable towel foldable into a backpack

ABSTRACT

A beach or swim towel that can also operate as a backpack and that can also be worn to provide free arm mobility and other advantages to the wearer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e)from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/092,901, filed Oct. 16,2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for allpurposes.

FIELD

The subject matter described herein relates generally to a towel thatcan be folded into a backpack. More particularly, it relates to awearable beach or swim towel with a hood into which the towel can befolded and which becomes a backpack.

BACKGROUND

When going to the beach or a swimming pool, it is usually necessary tobring several items, for example, a towel, sunscreen, snacks, etc.Although some of these items can be transported in a bag, towels andother apparel can often be too large to fit into a small bag or abackpack. Moreover, after a day at the beach of the swimming pool, whenan individual wraps a traditional beach towel or a swimming towel aroundhimself or herself, the individual's movement or ability to carry otherobjects can be significantly limited because the individual must ensurethat the towel is secured to his or her body. Furthermore, when drapedacross the individual's body or wrapped around the individual's waist, abeach towel or swimming towel can leave the individual's arms and otherbody parts exposed to the elements (e.g., cold, sun). These problems arefurther exacerbated when the individual is a small child.

A need therefore exists to develop a beach or swim towel that can alsooperate as a backpack and that can also be worn in different modes ofwear (e.g., as a cape, as a robe, as a hooded towel, etc.) to providefree arm mobility and other advantages to the wearer.

SUMMARY

Provided herein are embodiments of a beach or swim towel that can alsooperate as a backpack and that can also be worn to provide free armmobility and other advantages to the wearer.

In some embodiments, the wearable towel may generally include a hood, abody having a back, a front left flap, and a front right flap. In someembodiments, the back of the hood may include two straps that mayoperate as carrying straps when the hood operates as a backpack. In someembodiments, the interior side of each right and left flap may includean arm pocket or sleeve, and a corner triangle hand grip.

In some applications, the body of the wearable towel may be folded intothe hood such that the hood operates as a backpack holding the towel. Auser can wear the backpack using the two straps on the hood, which nowoperates as the backpack.

In some embodiments, the right and left flaps of the wearable towel mayinclude fastening mechanism, for example, snap clips, buttons, etc.

In some embodiments, the outer side of the hood of the wearable towelmay include a graphic design.

Other components, systems, methods, features and advantages of thesubject matter described herein will be or will become apparent to onewith skill in the art upon examination of the following figures anddetailed description. It is intended that all such additionalcomponents, systems, methods, features and advantages be included withinthis description, be within the scope of the subject matter describedherein, and be protected by the accompanying claims. In no way shouldthe features of the example embodiments be construed as limiting theappended claims, absent express recitation of those features in theclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The details of the subject matter set forth herein, both as to itsstructure and operation, may be apparent by study of the accompanyingfigures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts. Thecomponents in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis insteadbeing placed upon illustrating the principles of the subject matter.Moreover, all illustrations are intended to convey concepts, whererelative sizes, shapes and other detailed attributes may be illustratedschematically rather than literally or precisely.

FIGS. 1A-1B illustrate an exemplary front (or inside, or interior side)view of a wearable towel, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 1C-1D illustrate exemplary views of a wearable towel as worn by auser, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A illustrates an exemplary view of a wearable towel as worn by auser and being fastened into a robe, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIGS. 2B-2C illustrate an exemplary view of another wearable towel asworn by a user and being fastened into a robe, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2D illustrates another exemplary view of a wearable towel as wornby a user and being wrapped around the user, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate an exemplary back (or outside, or exterior side)view of a wearable towel, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 4A-1 to 4A-5 and 4B1 to 4B3 illustrate exemplary steps for foldingthe towel into a backpack, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 5-6 illustrates illustrate exemplary applications where a wearabletowel is worn by a user as a backpack, in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates exemplary graphic arts and material that may be usedfor a wearable towel, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 8A to 8E are diagrams illustrating different modes of wear for anexample embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRTIPION

Before the present subject matter is described in detail, it is to beunderstood that this disclosure is not limited to the particularembodiments described, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to beunderstood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescribing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to belimiting, since the scope of the present disclosure will be limited onlyby the appended claims.

FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate exemplary embodiments and front (or inside, orinterior side) view of the wearable towel 100 of the present disclosure.In some embodiments, the wearable towel 100 may include a body 110 and ahood 120. The body 100 may include a left flap portion 112 and a rightflap portion 114. According to one aspect of the embodiments, the flapportions can comprise a unitary construction, as shown in FIG. 1B. Inother embodiments, each flap portion 112, 114 can comprise a separatepiece of fabric, for example, with one or more fasteners connectingthem. In some embodiments, each flap 112, 114 includes a corner handgrip 140, 142 respectively, which may be constructed as an open pocket.As shown in the figures, the corner hand grips 140, 142 may be locatedat an upper corner of body 110, where an upper edge meets a side edge.In some embodiments, the corner hand grips 140, 142 may have a triangleshape, matching the corner of the edges. However, the corner hand grips140, 142 may also have a different shape. As shown in FIG. 1C and 1D,when the wearable towel is worn by a user, the user can insert her handsin the corner hand grips 140, 142, for example to hold and/or secure thebody 110. See also FIG. 2D, where the user may also wrap the towel 100around her body.

In some embodiments, the front (or inside, or interior) side of the body110 may also include two elongated, open-end pockets 130 and 132, eachlocated in proximity to the upper portion of the flaps 112 and 114respectively. As shown in FIG. 1C and 1D, when the wearable towel isworn by a user, the user can insert her arms into the pockets 130 and132. In this application, the pockets 130 and 132 may operate as armsleeves.

In some embodiments, the front (or inside, or interior) side of the body110 may also include a pocket 150. The pocket 150 may be sized to beused to store items such as pool toy(s), swimming accessories (e.g.,hats, goggles, sunglasses, etc.), etc.

In some embodiments, the body 110 may also include fastening mechanism160, 162. For example, the fastening mechanism may include buttons 160located along the edge of flaps 112 and 114, and correspondingbuttonholes 162 located toward the center of the body 110. In someembodiments, the buttonholes 162 may be located on loops (e.g., similarto belt loops). In some embodiments, the fastening mechanism may also beor may include snap clips, or any other suitable fastening devices. Asshown in FIG. 2A, when the wearable towel is worn by a user, the usercan fasten the front of the towel, with the flaps 112 and 114overlapping. FIG. 2A illustrates how the wearable towel may be worn by auser and being fastened into a robe.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the locations of the fastening mechanism may allowthe wearable towel to be fastened such that it does not hinder orprevent the wearer from walking or running.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 2B-2C, the fastening mechanismmay be located at the edge of the flaps 112 and 114.

In some embodiments, the wearable towel may be sized such that the usercan put on the towel (as shown in FIGS. 1C-1D and 2A-2B) while wearingher life preserves or arm floaties, and also still able to put the hoodon, grab the triangle corners and wrap up on her own.

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate exemplary embodiments and back (or outside, orexterior side) view of the wearable towel 100 of the present disclosure.In some embodiments, the wearable towel 100 may include straps 210 and212 located on the back of the hood 120. In some applications, thestraps 210 and 212 may operate as backpack straps, as shown in FIGS. 5-6below. In some embodiments, the wearable towel 100 may include afastening mechanism 220, for example a button or a snap button. FIG. 3Cillustrates the wearable towel 100 being worn by a user, as seen fromthe back.

In some embodiments, the straps 210 and 212 may be adjustable. In someembodiments, the straps 210 and 212 may not be adjustable.

In some embodiments, the wearable towel 100 may be folded into abackpack. FIGS. 4A-1 to 4A-5 are diagrams illustrating exemplary stepsfor folding the towel into a backpack. FIGS. 4B1 and 4B2 are photographsdepicting similar steps. At the steps shown in FIG. 4A-1 and FIG.4B1-(1), the wearable towel 100 may be laid down with the front(interior side) showing. The wearable towel 100 may then be foldedupwardly from the bottom of the body 110, along horizontal line A, asshown in FIG. 4B1-(2). At the step shown in FIG. 4A-2 and 4B1-(3), thefolded body 110 may then be folded inwardly along vertical lines B andC. At step shown in FIG. 4A-3 and FIG. 4B2-(4), the folded body 110 mayfurther be folded inwardly along vertical lines D and E. At the stepshown in FIG. 4A-4 and FIG. 4B2-(5), the folded body 110 may further befolded upwardly along horizontal line F. At the step shown in FIG. 4A-5and FIG. 4B3-(6), the folded body 110 may then be tucked into the hood120. In some embodiments, a fastening mechanism (e.g., button) 220-A maythen be fastened to a corresponding fastening member 220-B (e.g., abuttonhole or snap button). The folding is complete at this time, withFIG. 4B3 showing the front and back of the folded wearable towel 100.

FIGS. 5-6 illustrate exemplary applications where the wearable towel 100is worn by a user as a backpack, e.g., after being folded as shown inFIGS. 4A and 4B1-4B2. As shown, the wearable towel may be worn as ahandsfree backpack. The benefits for the user may include at least beingable to carry the towel handsfree, or carry more items, or carry anotherbag.

FIG. 7 illustrates exemplary graphic arts and material that may be usedfor the wearable towel of the present disclosure. In some embodiments,the wearable towel may be constructed of a plush microfiber cloth whichis highly absorbent while also being quick drying. The wearable towelmay also include or be made of other suitable material (e.g., 100%cotton, etc.). In some embodiments, the straps may be made of differentmaterial from the material of the towel body.

FIGS. 8A to 8E are diagrams illustrating different modes of wear for anexample embodiment of the present disclosure. According to an aspect ofthe embodiments, wearable towel 100 can be configured to be worn by auser in different modes of wear. The different modes of wear can beenabled by use of a plurality of fasteners, which are shown in FIGS. 8Ato 8E as elements B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, Y1, Y2, Y3, and Y4. Theprecise number and placement of fasteners, as depicted in FIGS. 8A to8E, are shown for purposes of illustration only and are not intended tobe limiting. Those of skill in the art will recognize, for example, thateither more or fewer fasteners can be employed with wearable towel 100.

FIG. 8A is a diagram showing wearable towel 100 worn in a wing mode,wherein a user inserts their arms through the elongated, open-endpockets 130 and 132. According to another aspect of the embodiments, theuser can engage each hand with a corresponding corner hand grip 140,142. The hood 120 can worn either up or down.

FIG. 8B is a diagram showing wearable towel 100 worn in a wings-to-bodywrap (or robe) mode. In the wings-to-body wrap (or robe) mode, the userinserts their arms through open-end pockets 130 and 132, as describedabove, and the user can engage each hand with a corresponding cornerhand grip 140, 142. In addition, according to some embodiments, fastenerpairs Y3-Y4 and B5-B6 can be respectively coupled to transform wearabletowel 100 into a body wrap or robe 100-B, as shown in the right portionof FIG. 8B.

FIG. 8C is a diagram showing wearable towel 100-C in a cape mode.According to one aspect of the embodiments, cape mode can be enabled bycoupling fastener pairs Y1-Y2 and B1-B2, respectively. FIG. 8D is adiagram showing wearable towel 100-D in a hooded towel mode. Accordingto an aspect of the embodiments, wearable towel 100-D can be worn as ahooded towel by simply placing hood on the user's head and wrapping up.FIG. 8E is a diagram showing wearable towel 100-E in a cape-to-full bodymode. According to an aspect of the embodiments, cape-to-full body modecan be enabled by coupling fastener pairs Y2-Y4 and B5-B6, respectively.

While embodiments of the present invention have been shown anddescribed, various modifications may be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the present invention, and all such modificationsand equivalents are intended to be covered.

As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”,and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictatesotherwise.

In the following description and in the figures, like elements areidentified with like reference numerals. The use of “e.g.,” “etc,” and“or” indicates non-exclusive alternatives without limitation, unlessotherwise noted. The use of “including” or “includes” means “including,but not limited to,” or “includes, but not limited to,” unless otherwisenoted.

As used herein, the term “and/or” placed between a first entity and asecond entity means one of (1) the first entity, (2) the second entity,and (3) the first entity and the second entity. Multiple entities listedwith “and/or” should be construed in the same manner, i.e., “one ormore” of the entities so conjoined. Other entities may optionally bepresent other than the entities specifically identified by the “and/or”clause, whether related or unrelated to those entities specificallyidentified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/orB”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as“comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionallyincluding entities other than B); in another embodiment, to B only(optionally including entities other than A); in yet another embodiment,to both A and B (optionally including other entities). These entitiesmay refer to elements, actions, structures, steps, operations, values,and the like.

The publications discussed herein are provided solely for theirdisclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothingherein is to be construed as an admission that the present disclosure isnot entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior disclosure.Further, the dates of publication provided may be different from theactual publication dates which may need to be independently confirmed.

It should be noted that all features, elements, components, functions,and steps described with respect to any embodiment provided herein areintended to be freely combinable and substitutable with those from anyother embodiment. If a certain feature, element, component, function, orstep is described with respect to only one embodiment, then it should beunderstood that that feature, element, component, function, or step canbe used with every other embodiment described herein unless explicitlystated otherwise. This paragraph therefore serves as antecedent basisand written support for the introduction of claims, at any time, thatcombine features, elements, components, functions, and steps fromdifferent embodiments, or that substitute features, elements,components, functions, and steps from one embodiment with those ofanother, even if the following description does not explicitly state, ina particular instance, that such combinations or substitutions arepossible. It is explicitly acknowledged that express recitation of everypossible combination and substitution is overly burdensome, especiallygiven that the permissibility of each and every such combination andsubstitution will be readily recognized by those of ordinary skill inthe art. In many instances, entities are described herein as beingcoupled to other entities. It should be understood that the terms“coupled” and “connected” (or any of their forms) are usedinterchangeably herein and, in both cases, are generic to the directcoupling of two entities (without any non-negligible (e.g., parasitic)intervening entities) and the indirect coupling of two entities (withone or more non-negligible intervening entities). Where entities areshown as being directly coupled together, or described as coupledtogether without description of any intervening entity, it should beunderstood that those entities can be indirectly coupled together aswell unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

While the embodiments are susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific examples thereof have been shown in thedrawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood,however, that these embodiments are not to be limited to the particularform disclosed, but to the contrary, these embodiments are to cover allmodifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spiritof the disclosure. Furthermore, any features, functions, steps, orelements of the embodiments may be recited in or added to the claims, aswell as negative limitations that define the inventive scope of theclaims by features, functions, steps, or elements that are not withinthat scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wearable towel having a front or interior sideand a back or exterior side, comprising: a hood, wherein the hoodcomprises a plurality of straps located on the exterior side of thehood; a body connected to the hood, wherein the body comprises a rightflap and a left flap, wherein each of the right flap and the left flapcomprises: a corner hand grip located on the interior side and at acorresponding upper corner of a corresponding flap; an elongated,open-end pocket located on the interior side and in proximity to acorresponding upper portion of the corresponding flap; and a firstportion of a first fastening mechanism located on the interior and in anapproximate center of the body such that when the body is folded into aninterior space of the hood, the first portion of a fastening mechanismis releasably fastenable to a second portion of the first fasteningmechanism.
 2. The wearable towel of claim 1, wherein the body furthercomprises a second fastening mechanism having a first portion locatedalong an edge of the right flap and the left flap, and a second portionlocated in the center of the body such that when the first portion isfastened to the second portion a bottom edge of the wearable towel islifted upwardly.
 3. The wearable towel of claim 1, wherein the cornerhand grip comprises an open end, wherein the open end of the corner handgrip is configured to receive a user's entire hand.
 4. The wearabletowel of claim 1, further comprising a pocket located on the interiorand in the approximate center of the body.